Method and system for utilizing a location-based internetwork gateway

ABSTRACT

A system for utilizing a location-based application across a plurality of networks. A target mobile device operates within a target network of the plurality of networks. A requesting device operates within a requesting network of the plurality of networks. The requesting device transmits a location request for a location of the target mobile device utilizing a location-based service application. A gateway operatively communicates with the requesting network and target network. The gateway receives the location request and determines the target network and communication and location technologies utilized by the target network and transmits the request to the target network utilizing the communication location technology for extraction of the location information. The gateway extracts the location information of the target mobile device and transmits the location of the target mobile device to the requesting device for use with the location-based service application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Non-Provisional claiming priority under 35 USC119(e)) from U.S. Application No. 60/670,935 entitled CELLULAR TELEPHONENETWORK LOCATION REQUESTING GATEWAY filed on Apr. 13, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a methodology and system for enablement oflocation-based applications for mobile devices such as cellular phones,and more particularly, a system, which allows use of location-basedapplications without regard to different carriers, wireless standardsand protocols.

With the advent of highly developed mobile devices such as cellularphones, and personal digital assistants, it has not only become possibleto track the location of these devices, but it has become possible toenable these devices to perform location-based applications. This hasresulted in a burgeoning industry for developers to developlocation-based applications such as games, tracking, “where is?” and thelike.

However, each country, even each service carrier, develops its ownprotocols for using services. Carriers may even use a plurality oflocation-based platforms or technologies within a network, i.e., subnetworks within networks; a network being an environment, which ishomogeneous with respect to location determination and communicationtechnologies. Furthermore, as a result of the proprietary nature ofcarrier networks, one carrier cannot easily allow another carrier toprovide location-based service on its network, i.e., the protocols andtechnologies are generally cross incompatible. By way of example, aslocation-based services (LBS) that use assisted global positioningsystem (AGPS) have become downloadable to a mobile phone, users arelimited to their mobile carrier's network and geographical presence oreven within use of AGPS technologies. Therefore, users will not be ableto use such services across multiple carriers, geographical regions, orother location technologies such as CELL-ID. For example, mobile phoneuser #1, using carrier A cannot use a LBS application to request alocation for mobile phone user #2, using carrier B. This restrictionalso applies if mobile phone user #1, using carrier A, located incountry Z tries to request a location for mobile phone user #2, usingcarrier A, located in country Y. As a result of the ability to createuniversal applications, product acceptances as well as growth arehindered.

Accordingly, a method and apparatus, which overcome the shortcomings ofthe prior art, are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for utilizing a mobile device's location across a plurality ofnetworks is provided. A target mobile device operates within a targetnetwork of the plurality of networks. A requesting device operateswithin a requesting network of the plurality of networks. The requestingdevice transmits a location request for a location of the target mobiledevice utilizing a location-based service application. A gatewayoperatively communicates with the requesting network and target network.The gateway receives the location request and determines the targetnetwork and communication technology utilized by the target network andtransmits the request to the target network utilizing the communicationtechnology for extraction of the location information by the targetnetwork. The gateway receives the location response of the target mobiledevice and transmits the location of the target mobile device to therequesting device for use within the location-based service application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the written description and the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an operational flow diagram of a gateway constructed inaccordance with the invention within one exemplary type of network;

FIG. 2 is an operational flow diagram of the operation of a gateway inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the gateway inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for providing privacy in accordance with theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the use of location-based servicesacross two or more networks in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, as seen in FIG. 1, to facilitate inter-network LBScommunications within the framework of a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork, a gateway 200 is provided at the hub between a requestingcommunication network 220 and a target communication network 230.Gateway 200 includes functionality for processing received locationrequests and forwarding the received location requests and responsesbetween its connections to the independent networks 230, 220. Arequesting mobile device 202 operates within the requesting network 220.Each location request handled by gateway 200 includes a destinationidentifier, or information, such as a target address, which can be usedto derive the delivery destination, as well as the network over whichthe location request is to be transmitted, and the location technologyutilized, in order to reach an identified target device 204.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cellular phone network isdescribed. The location request gateway functionality facilitatesinter-network communications among and between cellular networks or awide or local area networks by first determining the target carriernetwork 230, among a plurality of potential target networks, utilized bya target phone 204, and passing the location request in a format and/orprotocol which can be used by the target network. In one exemplary, butnon-limiting example, the target address used is the target phonenumber, or ten-digit mobile identification number is used to determinethe target network.

The present invention addresses, at a minimum, the current inter-networklocation request communication limitations presented by the IS-41 andIS-136 specifications for cellular telephone networks, by way ofexample, by including a functionality in the location request gateway ofthe cellular telecommunications network that facilitates inter-networklocation request communications. With respect to a location requestoriginated by a requesting device, here mobile phone 202, thefunctionality of the location request gateway 200 analyzes the receivedrequest to identify both target network 230 and associated positioningtechnologies, preferably using the target phone number. The receivedlocation request is reformatted (as necessary) by gateway 200 fortransmission to the designated network, and forwarded in the properformat to the identified target address via the designated network;allowing target network 230 to utilize its preexisting communicationtechnologies, application technologies and location technologies toprocess the request for the location of target mobile phone 204.

Similarly, a location request originated on a network other than thecellular network, such as satellite, web-based 802.x-protocol networksor the like, the location request gateway analyzes the received requestto identify a target mobile network for delivery. The received locationrequest is then analyzed, the network is identified, the appropriatetechnologies are determined, and a request is made by the gateway to thetarget network, and forwarded to the location responding device, eitherthe mobile device or network location infrastructure, via the targetnetwork.

In order for the location request gateway 200 to identify the targetnetwork 230 and location of target phone 204 for delivery, a destinationidentifier (target phone number, mobile identification number, automaticvehicle location (“AVL”) ID or the like) is incorporated in the locationrequest. The destination identifier includes both a network designation(identifying the network over which the received location request is tobe transmitted) and a destination address (identifying the addressee onthe designated network to which the received location request is to bedelivered).

Similarly, a location request originated by the requesting device andintended for e-mail delivery to a certain user will include adestination identifier for determining a network designation of theuser's local area network (“LAN”) or wide area network (“WAN”) and adestination address of the user's network address on the LAN or WAN. Forrequests originated outside the cellular network, such as a Web request,and intended for delivery to a cellular subscriber, the request willinclude a destination identifier for determining a network designationof the subscriber's cellular network and a destination identifier of thesubscriber's mobile station telephone number on the cellular network. Aphone number or mobile identification number is readily adapted toprovide this function.

More specifically, a communication system 250 has a first network 220, asecond network 230 and a gateway 200 as its hub. A requesting device,here phone 202, for ease of example, is in a first country A andcommunicates across requesting carrier network 220.

Network 220 includes a location-based application-based server 240 forenabling and processing location-based applications. As seen in FIG. 1,location-requesting device 202 makes the request of the applicationserver 240, which in turn makes the request of gateway 200. In thecellular phone embodiment, the cellular phone may work utilizing TCP/IPprotocols as known in the art. In limited cases, mobile device 202 maymake the request directly to gateway 200.

LBS applications use or generate dynamic (position dependent) content.As is known in the art, both longitude and latitude and street addressmaps are used in connection with LBS applications. Accordingly,application server 240 may communicate with a mapping engine 210 and itsassociated map database 218. It is understood in the art that mappingengine 210 and database 218 may be remotely located from applicationserver 240 or be at the same physical location.

Target device 204, in our example a mobile cellular phone 204, isfunctionally part of target network 230. It should be understood that atarget device 204 may in fact be “located” in several networkssimultaneously. It may be in one network for text messaging, one networkfor voice data, a third network for one LBS application and a fourthnetwork for a second type of LBS application. Each of these networks mayinclude their own system architecture, system protocols and/or systemcommunication technologies and system location technologies. Targetdevice 204 may interact with gateway 200 in one of two ways forprocessing location-based applications; direct query of the targetmobile device or query through the network location determinationinfrastructure.

In a first processing mode, network 230 includes a short message servicecenter (SMSC) 208 in which the mobile phone 204 is capable of processinglocation-based applications. Phone 204 communicates directly withgateway 200 utilizing messages with a location response through SMSC 208or TCP/IP protocols.

In a second mode, gateway 200 communicates with the target networklocation determination architecture. In a non limiting example gateway200 is in communication with a mobile positioning center (“MPC”) 206within network 230. In turn, MC 206 communicates with a positiondetermining entity (“PDE”) server 212. However, PDE 212 and MPC 206 maybe replaced by any other position determining architecture or LBSapplication server, such as a general mobile locating center or thelike, as a function of the communication technologies 300 (FIG. 3) orlocation technology 310 utilized by target network 230.

Dependent upon the communication technology and location technologyutilized, all or part of network 230 may be utilized. For example, iftarget mobile device utilizes an AGPS/CDMA target network 230, theninteraction with PDE 212 and optionally MPC 206 will be required.Similarly, as will be discussed below, when location is determinedindependent of communication with target device 204, MPC 206 may stillneed to be consulted.

It is understood, that although a single requesting network 220 isinvolved in each situation, the communication system at which gateway200 finds itself the hub, includes a plurality of potential targetnetworks, of which only target network 220 is shown for ease ofdescription. Furthermore, as discussed above, each network may differ byat least one of the communication technology utilized (TDMA v. CDMA),the location technology used (AGPS v. CELL-ID; which may change as afunction of the application, target device as well as the network), orthe application technology for the location-based service (BREW v. JAVAor SMS; which also may change as a function of not only the network butthe target device or target application). Therefore, as seen in FIG. 3,gateway 200 is the interconnection of the application developmenttechnology 330 such as WEB, WAP, SMS, JAVA and BREW by way ofnon-limiting example; communication technologies 300 for the mobilewireless devices such as CDMA, GSM, TDMA, IDEN, and 802.x-protocol byway of non-limiting example, and location technologies 310 such as AGPS,CELL-ID, WLS, E-OTD and ETDOA.

For ease of example and simplicity, in the example below it is assumed,by way of non-limiting example, that a cellular phone utilizing AGPSlocation technologies is utilized. By way of simplified example, gateway200 bridges two carrier networks (220, 230). It may bridge more.

In order to facilitate cross-network utilization of LBS applications,gateway 200, as best shown in FIG. 3, must utilize, enable and identifythe appropriate protocol and/or technology to be utilized both by targetnetwork and requesting network 220. Therefore, gateway 200 mustunderstand the communication technology of requesting network 220 aswell as the location technology 310 utilized within network 220 and,with certain applications, may be capable of utilizing the applicationtechnologies 330 of the application server 240 located in requestingnetwork 220. Similarly, in order to make the request across thedisparate networks to target network 230, gateway 200 must be able toidentify and utilize the communication technology 300 utilized bynetwork 230. Otherwise, it would not be able to gain access to targetnetwork 230. Gateway 200 must also make use of and therefore be able toidentify the appropriate location technology 310 utilized by network 230and, in some instances, know and use the application technology 330utilized by the specific target device 204.

In a preferred embodiment, a database 214 is provided which maps thedestination identifier (the telephone number in the simplest example) tothe target network and its associated communication technology. Knowingthe network, application or target device, as a function of thedestination identifier, the location technology may be stored and mappedto the destination identifier in database 214. Lastly, knowing thetarget device, target application and application technology 330 may beassociated with the identification number, stored and mapped in database214. Therefore, gateway 200, utilizing the destination identifier, maylook up the associated communication technology, location technology orapplication technology to determine the appropriate target network andmake use of these technologies for extracting a location response asdiscussed in greater detail below.

In its most simplified form, a requesting device, whether mobile orstationary, such as web- or home-based, makes an LBS request of a targetmobile device, whether a mobile personal digital assistant (“PDA”), AVLor cell phone as in this particular example. This request is made to anapplication server, which enables an LBS application. The server, inturn, makes a request to the gateway requesting the target devicelocation. The gateway, by parsing information from the request,determines the network, communication technology for the target networkand the location technology for the target network. The gateway thensends the request utilizing the network's communication technology andlocation technology through the network associated with the target phonebased upon this information.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 in which an operational diagram forutilizing gateway 200 across networks 220, 230 is shown.

In a step 500, mobile phone 202 tries to locate target phone 204 byissuing a request to locate target phone 204 to perform a desired LBSapplication. Requesting phone 202 attempts to locate target phone 204. Arequest may be made directly to gateway 200 if no application server isrequired and gateway 200 will enable extraction of the necessaryinformation. However, in this example, the request to determine theposition of target phone 204 is made to LBS application server 240.

In a step 502, application server 240, at a minimum, passes on therequest to gateway 200. In a step 520, gateway 200 makes a locationrequest to target network 230. As part of step 520, gateway 200 parsesout information from the request, which includes an identifier of thetarget mobile device and makes a request for the target device locationin a step 520 to target device network 230 as a function of identifyingthe network based on the identifier. As part of step 520, gateway 200utilizes the lookup table in database 214 to determine the networkidentity, communication technology and location technology for theidentified target network, and, as needed, the application technology.The location request is passed on to target network 230 in step 520 toextract a location response in one of at least two non-limiting ways.

In one embodiment, this may be done by a text message utilizing SMSC 208as part of target network 230. In this embodiment, SMSC 208 merelypasses on a request to target phone 204 to return its location as alocation response.

In the preferred embodiment, gateway 200 determines the appropriatecarrier as a function of the phone number or other indicia associatedwith the request as discussed above. Gateway 200 sends a request to theappropriate carrier's position determination infrastructure withinnetwork 230, which provides service to target phone 204. When utilizingthe network-determined position, the location/position gateway 200 mayuse a Location Interoperability Forum protocol (LIF). Gateway 200 makesthe request utilizing the communication and location technologies oftarget network 230. The network's position determination infrastructure(e.g., MPC 206) passes the request to the carrier's position determiningentity using an E5 or E5′ protocol, by way of example. The targetmobile's position is then determined via IS-801 over TCP/IP between thePDE 212 and the target device 204. In effect, MPC 206 presses a requestfor “I need to find.”

Target device 204 responds to the query in a step 526 identifying itslocation to network 220 utilizing the protocols of target device 204 andnetwork protocols and structures of target network 230. In oneembodiment, it responds to gateway 200 through the network utilizingSMSC 208. In step 526, the location response may alternatively bereturned by the location infrastructure, for example PDE 212, which inturn returns the location response to the MPC 206 and thus to gateway200. In this way, target device network 230 reports the target devicelocation, in a step 527, to gateway 200. Gateway 200 provides the targetdevice location to the application server 240 of network 220 utilizingthe protocols and network architecture preexisting in network 220. It isunderstood that gateway 200, utilizing its lookup tables, orpredetermined information, forwards the location information torequesting network 220 utilizing the communication technology 300 and/orlocation technology 310 of target network 230.

In another embodiment, gateway 200 may query the position determinationinfrastructure of the target network such as an MPC, PDE, gateway mobilelocation center (GMLC) or equivalent structure in target network 230.

Application server 240 receives the location response from the gateway200 in a step 528. Server 530 applies the application to the locationresponse and delivers the dynamic location content to requesting phone202 in a step 530. In other words, application server 240 enables theuse of the location by requesting phone 202.

It should be understood that it is shown in a simplified example thatdatabase 214 is associated with gateway 200. However, it is well withinthe contemplation of the invention that database 214 may be a thirdparty data source located at its own network addressable and accessibleby gateway 200 across its own network.

In an alternative embodiment, it may be beneficial to provide targetdevice 204 or target network 230 with the ability to authorize the useof an LBS application for target device 204 in a step 504. Reference isnow made to FIG. 4 in which an authorization protocol for one embodimentof the invention is provided. If database 214 is used in step 514, thedatabase may include a map of all requesting devices 202 authorized torequest the location of target device 204. Database 214 is scanned todetermine whether or not authorization occurs in a step 516. If it isdetermined in step 516 that authorization should not be provided, thenthe process is stopped in step 518 and a location response will be sentfrom gateway 200 to requesting application server 240, utilizing, forexample, TCP/IP or short message protocols to indicate that the locationis unavailable to requesting phone 202. However, if authorization isprovided, then, as discussed above, gateway 200 will pass the request totarget device 204 in step 520.

Alternatively to a locally maintained database (associated with thegateway 200), the target device's authorization information may beprovided via a query by gateway 200 to an authoritative source.

If, on the other hand, authorization is determined by requestingpermission from target phone 204 or network 230 in step 504, the requestmay be processed by first determining the location of the target phone204 as discussed above. To facilitate discussion, it is assumed thatmobile phone 202 and mobile phone 204 are subscribers to two differentcarriers utilizing different networks and at least one of differentlocation technologies 310 and communication technologies 300. Therefore,gateway 200 must first determine the proper way to locate target phone202 in step 508.

Once target phone 204 is located, then in accordance with a firstmethod, gateway 200 stimulates a text message addressed to targetnetwork 230 and target phone 204 inquiring as to whether or not targetphone 204 wishes to be located. If the user of target phone 204 signalsacceptance, authorization is granted in a step 510 and requesting phone202 is enabled to utilize LBS applications in steps 520-530. Ifauthorization is denied then the process stops in a step 512 and amessage is sent to requesting phone 202 that the phone is unavailable.

In another embodiment, in order to provide authorization in step 510,target mobile phone 204 stores its personal approval list. When targetphone 204 receives the request, it compares it to the list to determinewhether a match occurs. If no match occurs, target phone 204 is thenprovided with the ability to allow the user to accept or decline therequest and will proceed accordingly as discussed above. If the requestis accepted, a position calculation according to the IS-801 or otherappropriate standard is performed and returned to gateway 200, eitherdirectly through a TCP/IP protocol or utilizing the PDE and MPC.

The authorization response is preferably in the form of a SMS messagegenerated by gateway 200 and returned to requesting phone 204 utilizingMSSC 208.

It should be understood that in particular in the embodiment whereauthorization is provided utilizing a lookup table in database 214 thatif no corresponding authorized identification number exists in thelookup table, then access to the target network will be denied.Similarly, if there is no corresponding network associated with theidentification number received with the request to gateway 200, accessto the network will de facto be denied as there is no correspondingmethod for determining the communication language with target network230. Furthermore, where there is no corresponding network information orauthorization permission, then gateway 200 provides a location response;the content of the location response being either an unavailable messageor access denied type of message.

The gateway was described at the exchange between two mobile devices;phones. However, it is within the scope of the invention for therequesting device to be a stationary device, such as a personal computer(PC), locating one or more mobile devices for use with a location-basedservice application. Furthermore, the mobile device may be a PDA, AVL orthe like, and the network may be cellular, 802.x-protocol based,satellite or any other network capable of locating and communicatingwith a mobile device.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 in which a system for providing thelocation of one or more mobile devices utilizing a web or otherstationary application is provided. Like numerals are utilized toindicate like structures. A PC 600 communicates with one or morelocation-based application servers 700 across a network 800. Gateway 200is in communication with target phone 204 across network 230 and targetphone 202 across network 220 as discussed above. The structures ofnetworks 220 and 230 are the same as discussed above; however, in thisexample, both are target mobile networks. Network 800 may be a landlinenetwork or any type of wireless communication network.

PC 600 interacting with a web-based application desires to view thelocations of target mobile devices 202, 204. PC 600 generates a requestfor location 602 transmitted to the application server 700 forprocessing the desired request. As above, the request includes thetarget address (phone numbers for mobile phones, AVL address for AVLs,or the like) and any information required by the application server forenabling the application, which is known to the stationary requestingdevice (in this non-limiting example, a personal computer). Applicationserver 700 may perform some validation of the request and forward arequest 702 to gateway 200. The request sent to gateway 200, at aminimum, includes the identity of the target devices 202, 204 but mayalso include identification of the application server 700,identification of the requesting device 600 or even a transactionidentifier for logging or billing purposes.

As discussed above, gateway 200 will identify the network and thelocation technologies 310 and the communication technologies 300 fortarget identified network and device. As discussed above, gateway 200extracts the location of the devices from the respective networks byproviding the request 280 to the appropriate target network utilizingthe appropriate technologies. Gateway 200 receives location response 290from the target network. These are the location queries and responsesrespectively discussed above. Gateway 200 may correspond directly withtarget phones 202, 204 or operate through a network as discussed above.

Once the location results have been reported to gateway 200, gateway 200returns the request to the appropriate requesting application server 700by providing a location information response 704. Application server 700performs any necessary application functions to generate the appropriateand accurate content utilizing the received location and transmittingthe location content 604 to requesting device 600.

Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out novelfeatures of the present invention as applied to preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand change in the form and detail are contemplated the disclosedinvention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. It is the intention therefore tobe limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of the language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A system for utilizing a location-basedapplication across a plurality of networks comprising: a target mobiledevice operating within a target network of said plurality of networks,wherein the target network has a first communication technology, a firstlocation technology and a first application technology; a requestingdevice operating within a requesting network of said plurality ofnetworks wherein the requesting network has a second communicationtechnology, a second location technology and a second applicationtechnology, the requesting device transmitting a location request for alocation of said target mobile device utilizing a location-based serviceapplication having a third application technology executed on alocation-based services application server; and a gateway operativelycommunicating with said requesting network and target network using thefirst and second communication technologies, said gateway receiving thelocation request via the second communication technology, and the secondapplication technology, and determining the target network and the firstcommunication technology, the first location technology and the firstapplication technology utilized by said target network; reformatting therequest to said first communication technology, the first locationtechnology and the first application technology, and transmitting therequest to said target network utilizing said first communicationtechnology, first application technology and first location technologyfor extraction of a location response by said target network using saidfirst location technology, receiving the location response of the targetmobile device via the first communication technology, the first locationtechnology and the first application technology, reformatting thelocation of the target mobile device to the third application technologyto be utilized by the location-based service application andtransmitting the location of the target mobile device to the requestingdevice for use with the location-based service application.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the location-based services applicationserver is disposed within said requesting network, the location requestbeing transmitted to the location-based services application server, thelocation-based services application server transmitting at least thelocation request to the gateway, and the gateway sending the locationresponse to the location-based services application server for use withthe location-based services application.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising a database, the gateway communicating with thedatabase, said database including a lookup table, the gateway utilizingthe lookup table for determining the target network, the firstcommunication technology, the first location technology and the firstapplication technology utilized by said target network.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein said gateway utilizes said lookup table for determiningat least one of the communication technology and location technologyutilized by the target network.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thetarget device determines whether said location request is authorized,and at least one of said gateway and said target network refusing toprovide location information in response to said request.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein said gateway creates a text message transmitted tosaid target network for extracting the location response from saidtarget network.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said target networkincludes location determining infrastructures, said gatewaycommunicating with the location determining infrastructure to extractthe location response.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said gatewaystores request authorizations and determines whether said locationrequest is authorized, and preventing such request where said request isunauthorized.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondtarget mobile device operating within a second target network of saidplurality of networks, said gateway communicating with said targetnetwork and determining a second target network and third communicationtechnology and third location technology utilized by said second targetnetwork in response to said location request, transmitting the locationrequest to said second target network utilizing said third communicationtechnology and third location technology for extraction of a secondlocation response by said second target network, receiving the secondlocation response of the second target mobile device and reformattingand transmitting the location of the second target mobile device to therequesting device for use with the location-based service application.10. A method for utilizing a location-based application across aplurality of networks between a target mobile device operating within atarget network of said plurality of networks having a firstcommunication technology, a first location technology and a firstapplication technology, a requesting device operating within arequesting network of said plurality of networks having a secondcommunication technology, a second location technology and a secondapplication technology, the method comprising: making a request from arequesting device for a location of said target mobile device using thesecond communication technology and the second application technology,utilizing a location-based service application having a thirdapplication technology that is executed on a location-based servicesapplication server; receiving the request at a gateway communicatingbetween said requesting network and said target network; determining thetarget network from said plurality of networks and the firstcommunication technology, first location technology and firstapplication technology of the target network; reformatting the requestto said first communication technology, the first location technologyand the first application technology; transmitting the request to saidtarget network utilizing said first communication technology, said firstlocation technology and said first application technology for extractionof a location response by said target network; receiving said locationresponse via the first communication technology, the first locationtechnology and the first application technology at said gateway;reformatting the location response to the third application technologyto be utilized by the location-based service application; andtransmitting the location response to the location-based servicesapplication server to be sent to the requesting device for use with thelocation-based service application.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinsaid gateway determines the target network, the first communicationtechnology, the first location technology and the first applicationtechnology utilized by said target network, from a lookup table.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising the step of the gatewaycommunicating with a database, said database including a lookup table,the gateway utilizing the lookup table for determining whether thelocation request is authorized.
 13. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising the step of determining whether the request is authorized byquerying the target mobile device; and transmitting an authorizationresponse from said target mobile device to said gateway.
 14. The methodof claim 11, comprising the step of at least one of said gateway andtarget network refusing to provide the location response in response tosaid request when authorization is denied.
 15. The method of claim 10,further comprising the step of the gateway communicating with adatabase, the database containing a lookup table, the gateway queryingthe lookup table to determine the target network.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein said request includes a destination identifier, thegateway utilizing the destination identifier to query the lookup tablefor identifying the target network.
 17. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising the step of transmitting the request to said target networkutilizing said location technology for extraction by stimulating a shorttext message to said target network.
 18. The method of claim 10, whereinsaid target network includes location determining infrastructure, andfurther comprising the step of extracting the location response logquerying the location determining infrastructure.